Known as the "Herring Trail", Bayr Ny Skeddan follows an old pack-horse trail from Castletown to Glen May, and then on to Peel.
Information
| Grading: | Strenuous |
| Distance | 22 km / 14 miles |
| Estimated Time: | 3.5 - 4 hours (each way) |
Route
- The first section leaving Castletown is shared with the Millennium Way, following the bank of the Silverburn river to Ballasalla and Rushen Abbey. It then continues past the Monks' Bridge and along the Silverburn until it reaches the main road.
- After about a mile the path departs to the left, initially along a metalled road but shortly climbing to an old stone lined trail. Keeping one's direction is easy - just keep aiming towards South Barrule Hill (you can't miss it)!
- A couple of miles along this track will bring you to the edge of the forest plantation - the path will then appear to lead to the east of South Barrule but to follow the trail you need to go left.
- Whether you succumbed to a slight detour along the plantation access road or kept to the path, you will reach the road up to South Barrule (not on the trail itself but worth a detour), just before coming to the road junction at the Roundtable.
- The official path then crosses the road taking you through yet more new (1980's) plantations. However a more interesting diversion is to bear right a 100 yards and then take the path gently deviating from the road.
- It leads past a deserted (and now derelict) farmhouse, and a little further on you come to abandoned miners cottages (also ruins) from the end of the 19th century.
- Cross a gentle stream, and the ruins of an old chapel can be found before the official path joins from the right.
- Watch out in Glen Maye - this metalled section can be the haunt of motorcross fans so be careful. However the Waterfall Hotel there provides good food (and crowds at weekend lunchtimes).
- Walk to the well known waterfall and onto to the beach, before climbing back up to the top of the brooghs for a pleasant cliff walk to Peel.
- There's a choice here - you can either join the Heritage trail for the last section, or the coastal path makes for better views. If you opt for the latter, head towards Corrin's folly before dropping down to Peel Castle on St Patrick's Isle.